Religious leaders warn against misinterpretation of Islamic concepts
Jamila Babayeva
The Gazi Council of the Caucasian Muslims Board of Azerbaijan has warned against any misinterpretation of Islam by extremist groups.
In a fatwa, the Council referred to recent misuses of sacred concepts in Islam like Jihad and Martyrdom by extremists adding that, biased interpretation of these concepts would tarnish Islam's image.
Martyrdom in Islam is the pinnacle of the struggle for faith, justice and for the sake of the Motherland, the fatwa says.
"Martyrs who have lost their lives in fighting against their motherland's enemies occupy an honorable position in the world. We must pay respect to them. Young generation must take the footstep of these honorable figures. Azerbaijanis will always revere the memory of their martyrs."
"A martyr is a person who was killed in a fight against injustice and violence committed against their family, land, religion or Motherland," according to the philosophy of martyrdom. The main condition for jihad and martyrdom in Islam is self-defence, the fatwa says.
A martyr is not after their personal interests. There are lots of people who have been killed in arm clashes abroad. They may not be called martyr unless their fight is for self-defense.
Around 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian extremists. Involvement in wars abroad under the banner of religion contradicts the essence of Islam, the fatwa says.
The Gazi Council condemned the participation of some citizens in any war or interference in the internal affairs of another country. The Caucasus Muslims Office has always protested against radicalism, extremism, violence and terror anywhere in the world.
"Caucasian Muslim Board (CMB) plans to appeal to the Presidential Administration, Cabinet of Ministers, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, and if necessary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with some radical groups," the chairman of the CMB Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh said at the meeting of the Gazi council.
"We believe that religious radicalism will grind to a standstill in future," he said.
He noted that if someone takes a gun to kill someone, even outside of borders, he will be punished by the state laws.
Pashazade expressed hope for proper support of the state in this regard.